PARENTS of disabled pupils at a Birkdale primary school have waited at least five weeks to receive permits allowing them to park in newly-painted bays, one mother revealed this week.

Last week, the delay led to the parent of a disabled child being slapped with a penalty ticket for parking outside Our Lady of Lourdes – despite displaying a blue badge, Rose Hopkins said.

When Sefton Council painted in the spaces at each end of the Grantham Road site in January, Rose said she was pleased as they had apparently made the school-run easier and safer for her and her five-year-old son, Ben.

When Rose drops-off and collects Ben, who has had a tracheotomy, she and her son must carry his oxygen cylinder and emergency bag as well as his books and lunch, and walking too far can make him short of breath and even ill.

But Rose, of Dinorwic Road, said “five or six weeks” have now passed since signs went up by the bays, stating only drivers displaying the DPP103 permit are allowed to park there.

As requested by the school at the time, Rose and several other parents made written applications for the permits, which were relayed to the council’s technical services department.

But at the time of breaking up for Easter on Tuesday, Rose had still not received a permit and she said the school had confirmed to her the previous day these were not yet available to pass to parents.

Speaking to the Southport Visiter, Rose, 44, said: “It’s hard enough getting a disabled child ready for school in the morning without having to worry about getting a parking fine.

“We are pleased they put the bays in but cannot understand why they are taking so long to issue the permits. How hard can it be?”

A spokesman for Sefton Council responded by saying permits were recently posted to the school.

The spokesman said: “Two new disabled bays have been installed at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School.

“Road markings have been painted, signage put up and the permits have been issued to the school.

“Anyone with a concern over a Penalty Charge Notice can write to our parking services department.

“If the school requires more spaces, we would be happy to discuss this with them.”